Does your LTC go meatless on Fridays?

The management at the LTC I work at has decided to go meatless on Fridays. Initially, I thought this was in observance of Lent, but I was told yesterday that it is going to be permanent. I think it is nice for the residents who don't eat meat on Fridays, but it is a bit unfair to those that do. I can see having a meatless alternative, but a lot of our residents are old farmers and ranchers who are used to eating meat at every meal...and a lot of them are not happy about someone else's beliefs being forced on them.

I'm not really venting or asking for advice on fixing the problem...just wondering how other facilities handle it.

I had a family member who resided in a Catholic LTC facility for 6 years. They observed meatless Fridays year round, not just during Lent since so many of the elderly nuns who resided there grew up under that tradition.
But those who desired a meat entree were able request one.

I agree that an alternative should be offered. Not all Catholics follow this tradition, so it is not reasonable to expect those of other faiths to do so. And in LTC, meals are such an important activity and diversion, that they need to be appealing!

Feb 24, '07

Joined: Jan '04; Posts: 9,601; Likes: 3,188

we have a large catholic population and most facilities willl have a first choice of meatless fridays
a rquest can be made for an alternative even a the smaller places

Feb 24, '07

Joined: Jun '06; Posts: 7,203; Likes: 7,954

is this a religious observance, or a costing saving measure disguised as one?

I work at an upscale LTCF that gives each resident a menu with 4 choices per meal time. Usually one of the choices is meatless. Everyone stays satisfied because, after all, they circled the meal that they wanted to order on the menu.

The management at the LTC I work at has decided to go meatless on Fridays. Initially, I thought this was in observance of Lent, but I was told yesterday that it is going to be permanent. I think it is nice for the residents who don't eat meat on Fridays, but it is a bit unfair to those that do. I can see having a meatless alternative, but a lot of our residents are old farmers and ranchers who are used to eating meat at every meal...and a lot of them are not happy about someone else's beliefs being forced on them.

I'm not really venting or asking for advice on fixing the problem...just wondering how other facilities handle it.

When I worked LTC it was optional. And being Catholic myself, I think the ages where meatless Fridays (during Lent) are to be observed are btw 13 - 65. Of course, if a person is diabetic, has a food allergy that restricts choices, nursing mothers, pregnant women, etc do not have to follow this rule.

I think it's a disgrace that they are doing this. If diet permits, they should have a choice.

I would think with diabetics they would want a well balanced diet that included meat. I wouldn't want to mess with that.

I work at an upscale LTCF that gives each resident a menu with 4 choices per meal time. Usually one of the choices is meatless. Everyone stays satisfied because, after all, they circled the meal that they wanted to order on the menu.

The same was done when I worked LTC and is still done on the med surg unit I work. But, the OP made it sound like they are completely eliminating meat on every Friday and I think that's just plain wrong. The resident has the right to choose what they want to eat within their dietary guidelines.

I feel bad for those who aren't Catholic. I don't agree with imposing one's beliefs on anyone else.

Mar 1, '07

Joined: Nov '06; Posts: 658; Likes: 145

Mine has never done it. It is nice for the residents who are used to practicing this but it would seem they would have to offer meats to the ones who do not.